The Frame

Writer/director John Ridley (far right, with actor Timothy Hutton) talks about his edgy new TV series, “American Crime"; We crash a viewing party for the breakout TV hit, “Empire"; Musician and attorney Joe Escalante on the fallout from the “Blurred Lines” verdict.

A jury ruled that Robin Thicke (pictured) and Pharrell Williams violated the copyright to Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up"; an assistant director on the film "Midnight Rider" was found guilty of charges relating to the death of a camera assistant; producer David Shore revived a TV project created a dozen years ago by Vince Gilligan, before his "Breaking Bad" success.

"Midnight Rider" director Randall Miller was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges resulting from the death of a crew member on the set; Clint Eastwood talks about "American Sniper" (pictured) becoming the biggest-grossing film released in 2014; actress Gillian Jacobs has added director to her resumé with a documentary about computer pioneer Grace Hopper.

A fan laments that legendary radio DJ Art Laboe (pictured) can't be heard in L.A., at least for now; Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, has a memoir covering his 40-plus years on the music beat; Claire Keane is a third-generation artist who left a cushy job to write and illustrate children's books.

The trial for the lawsuit brought by Marvin Gaye's children against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams is nearing an end; how "Dead Man Walking" was transformed from a movie to an opera (pictured); comedian Wayne Federman rounds up his hilarious friends to host a film festival where they chose the lineup; comic book writer Scott Snyder put his anxieties into his version of "Batman."

Ed Piskor’s "Hip Hop Family Tree” (pictured) takes a look at the music's history in a comic book series; young comedians test their chops in roast battles; the Writer's Guild examines the lack of racial and gender diversity among TV writers.

Late night host Conan O'Brien tells us about his trip to Cuba and his thoughts on the late night TV shuffle; Vulture.com's Margaret Lyons recommends some TV shows that have an air of optimism; comic book writer Ed Brubaker goes from Captain America and Batman to a Hollywood noir graphic novel.

Will Smith's "Focus" (pictured) did middling business in its opening weekend, so where does this leave his career?; filmmaker Ed Burns on the highs and lows of his career since bursting on the scene with "The Brothers McMullen" in 1995; Valiant Entertainment has a simple goal: make comic books like they used to be made.

Leonard Nimoy (pictured) died today. We discuss his artistic journey as an actor, writer and photographer; the copyright trial pitting Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. against Marvin Gaye's children is underway; Will Forte is "The Last Man on Earth," a new Fox comedy.

Singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane (pictured) wrote "The Ambassador," a song cycle inspired by architectural landmarks around L.A.; Yann Demange's new film is set amidst the violent Northern Ireland conflict known as The Troubles; a new study concludes that watching even just one film can change minds about a topic as charged as politics.

Director Patricia Riggen and cinematographer Checco Varese — her husband — were partners above and below ground on the mining disaster film, "The 33"; Boston Globe reporter Mike Rezendes is played by Mark Ruffalo in "Spotlight"; Song Exploder dissects a song by Dan Auerbach's side project, The Arcs.

One year out from the 2016 Presidential election, we hear from Beau Willimon, an executive producer of "House of Cards," and Jay Roach, director of an HBO film about Lyndon Johnson.

Ewan McGregor and filmmaker Rodrigo Garcia share stories of making their movie about Jesus wandering the desert; Leon Bridges' quick rise to soul stardom; Do box office results impact Oscar voting?

Michael Keaton leads the cast in "Spotlight," about the Boston archdiocese cover-up of sexual abuse cases; NBC and "Saturday Night Live" have resisted calls to remove Donald Trump as host of the show; Performance artist and composer Laurie Anderson examines love and loss in the documentary, "Heart of a Dog."

Director Catherine Hardwicke's new movie is written by and about women. As an advocate for women in Hollywood she practices what she preaches; Flailing TV shows remain on the air in this new era; Two Chicago institutions bring dance and sketch comedy together.

The actor says the experience of Dalton Trumbo and other blacklist victims still resonates today; Quentin Tarantino is facing a boycott of his films because of comments he made at a protest against police brutality; the German classic film, "M," was remade for American audiences but never released.

Disney is delaying publication of a companion book to "The Force Awakens" in hopes of keeping the story line under wraps; Jason Segel's performance as David Foster Wallace is another example of a cult figure on the big screen; Women wrote just 22 percent of the plays produced last year in the U.S.

The Irish actress plays a young immigrant in a story that mirrors what her own parents experienced; Kyle Buchanan of Vulture.com assembled a list of women directors who Hollywood studios should be hiring; "Songs from Suicide Bridge" is another excavation project from Light In the Attic records.

The Walking Dead's Greg Nicotero's zombie lesson; LACMA brings rain to a drought-riddled city with The Rain Room; 'Saw' composer and former Nine Inch Nails keyboardist Charlie Clouser on how to score a scary movie.

LA-based opera company “The Industry” has created an experimental opera that takes place in 24 cars around the city. Starz CEO Chris Albrecht wants his channel to reach a diverse audience. LA taco place partners with bands.

Ilene Chaiken runs "Empire" while co-creator Lee Daniels develops his next show for Fox, "Star"; the SxSW Interactive Conference is getting heat for canceling sessions about sexism in the gaming industry; the Hammer Museum will benefit from UCLA's purchase of the Occidental Petroleum building.

The duo's production company, Smokehouse, has examined politics in the TV series, "K Street," and the films “The Ides of March" and "Good Night and Good Luck." Their latest is "Our Brand is Crisis."